General Information on Lead Poisoning

• Ask a doctor to test your child if you are concerned about your child being exposed to lead.
• If you live in a home built before 1978, talk to your health department about testing your home for lead. They can test paint and dust to see if it contains lead. This is especially important to do if young children live with you or visit you.
• Damp-mop floors and damp-wipe surfaces, such as window sills and furniture. This cleans up dust without blowing it around. Also frequently you're your child's hands, pacifiers, and toys. This reduces exposure to lead.
• Use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, and for making baby formula. Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels of lead. Most of the lead in water usually comes from the plumbing in your house, not from the local water supply.
• Avoid using home remedies (such as arzacon, greta, pay-loo-ah) and cosmetics (such as kohl, alkohl) that contain lead.
• Toy jewelry made out of metal sometimes contains lead. As a precaution, throw out toy jewelry that has metal.
• Take steps to reduce your exposure to lead if you remodel old buildings. Lead is common in buildings built before 1978. For example, shower and change clothes after finishing a task. This is also important if your work or hobbies involve working with lead-based products.